DAMAGE TO CABLE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5484, 7 October 1929, Page 4

DAMAGE TO CABLE.

CLAIM AGAINST BARGE OWNERS POWER BOARD’S STAND. Following upon the capsizing of a barge in the Piako River on Februaiy 18, the Thames Valley Power Board forwarded an account to the owners, Messrs McCallum Bros., for alleged damage done to a submarine electric cable. The following letter in reply to the board’s account was before the meeting of the board on Tuesday :— McCallum Bros, Auckland, wrote stating that they could not accept liability for the board’s account of September 6. The scow’s mast was broken when she capsized, which was proved by the following facts : The mast was 32ft above the deck line and 35ft over all. When the barge was bottom up the bottom was level with the water, and as the depth of water in the river was only 18ft at high tide and about 9ft at low water, it would have been impossible to tow the scow with her mast intact and sticking into the mud at least 16ft. If the board’s cable had been fouled by their scow it must have been above the bottom. They were prepared, without prejudice, to meet the board half-way on this account. The firm stated that there was no carelessness on the part of their men, as they knew the mast had broken off near the deck. They felt they were not in any way responsible for any damage done to the board’s cable. It was decided that the board should stand by its full claim.